Sunday, February 7, 2016

Norway police no more equip guns

Just when fear of terror is rising over the world, and the candidates for President claim the necessity of enhanced military, the Norwegian government made a brave decision.

Police officers in Norway will be disarmed soon. Previously, they did not carry guns as usual, but have been ordered to equip arms since November 2014 for strengthening its defense force. This order was considered to be temporal, but was prolonged because of Paris attack last year. At last, the armament will cease.

Norway is a developed country with high standard of public welfare. The GDP per capita and literacy rate mark great level. Gender equality is also focused in Norway. It is the unique country in which women are subjected to conscription.

In 2011, Anders Behring Breivik made a massacre in Oslo and Utøya Island. A total of 77 lives were victimized. I can imagine the agony of victims. Breivik is an anti-Muslim extremist. Fortunately, there is no evidence that his ideology has badly influenced Norwegian citizens.

I guess the financial issue is one of the backgrounds of disarming of police officers. Military equipment is often very expensive. Norway is infamous for its high tax rate. The government seems eager to keep its welfare level without raised expenditure.

I have not visited Norway or other Northern Europe. I hope to see the lives of citizens some day.